JMNT NATIONAL TEAM CAMP ATTENDEES ANNOUNCED

JUNIOR MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM CAMP ATTENDEES ANNOUNCED

Canada will compete in the U18 FIBA Americas Championship

Toronto, Ont. – The Junior Men’s National Team (JMNT) training camp will begin today, June 6th with 21 talented athletes. The nine-day camp will be held at Humber College – North Campus. A full list of athletes and coaching staff below.

Coming off a strong sixth-place finish at last year’s FIBA U19 World Championship – the best Canadian finish in the competition’s 34-year history - Head coach Roy Rana (Ryerson University) will lead the JMNT in preparation for the U18 FIBA Americas Championship in Colorado Springs, U.S.A. Canada will look to place in the top four, which in turn qualifies them for the 2015 U19 World Championship in Greece.

“We have a tough task ahead of us, but I believe in the strength, ability and commitment of the group that we have assembled,” said Rana. “With the majority of this year’s athletes being new to the international game, our focus is on development with the goal of qualifying for Greece.”

Rana, a native of Toronto, Ont., will serve as the team’s bench boss for the third consecutive season. He will be joined by assistant coaches Scott Morrison (Lakehead University) and Kirby Schepp (University of Manitoba).

Canada Basketball’s assistant general manager and executive vice-president of the Senior Men’s Program, Rowan Barrett, echoed the coach’s sentiments. “These athletes have shown tremendous skill for their respective teams and in the past with the National Team program. We’re very excited that they are taking the next step in their development.”

The team will depart for five-day competition on June 16th. For more information on the 2014 U18 FIBA Americas, please visit:http://www.fibaamericas.com/